Hakeeb Adelakun shines as Salford City sink Cheltenham Town

Substitute Hakeeb Adelakun emerged from the bench to earn Salford City a hard-fought 2-1 win against Cheltenham Town.

The phenomenal forward opened his Salford account with a brace as The Ammies recovered from an early second-half setback to beat their Gloucestershire opponents at the Peninsula Stadium.

Cheltenham muscled their way into the ascendancy in a cagey first period short of clear-cut chances. Dynamic midfield duo Joel Colwill and Luke Young worked in tandem to open up space to strike from the edge of the box, but neither player could breach Salford’s resilient backline from distance.

Salford City were marginally second best in a scrappy first half. (Credit: Edward Hayton)

When the Robins found a way past Stephen Negru and Josh Austerfield, Jamie Jones was on hand to make a string of fine saves when called upon. The goalkeeper’s most important action came deep into first-half stoppage time when he denied livewire Arkell Jude-Boyd from close range.

Less than three second-half minutes had expired when Michael Flynn’s men charged forward. Archer was given the freedom of the North West to drive in from the left flank, waltz into the Salford box and pick out the top right corner for his first EFL goal.

With his side trailing and lacking impetus, Robinson shuffled the pack and introduced attacking ace Adelakun from the bench. Salford’s marquee deadline day signing justified his summer move by steering the ball low past Owen Evans moments after coming on.

Hakeeb Adelakun celebrates his first salford City goal. (Credit: Edward Hayton)

As Flynn turned to his bench, Cheltenham’s foothold in the game diminished. Salford grew in confidence and began to have joy exploiting spaces in behind on the break.

Adelakun, the catalyst for The Ammies comeback, won the game in emphatic fashion, beating Evans for pace with a rasping low drive from the edge of the box.

Your Player of the Match today – there wasn't really any question 🤷⚽️⚽️

Well done @hakeeb_adelakun 👏 pic.twitter.com/HUpznUmPTm

— Salford City FC (@SalfordCityFC) September 14, 2024

Aside from his superb second-half double, Adelakun shone receiving the ball on the half-turn, pulled Cheltenham’s centre-backs out of position and linked up expertly with Kelly Nmai.

Following the match, Robinson highlighted that he had been the only manager to watch Adelakun in action for the Professional Football Association’s free-agent squad over the summer. Salford appear to have uncovered a gem hiding in plain sight.